If you’ve owned a vehicle for very long, you understand the importance of a car starter. For drivers who may know, the starter is a small motor, powered by the battery to ignite and start the engine. However, it is hard to understand just how starters and alternators relate. If the starter is bad or the alternator is failing, your car won’t start!
So how do you know if your car starter is bad? First, you need to rule out the alternator or battery as the culprit of your starting problems. Then, you may realize that your starter is going bad if you recognize any of the issues below:
- Clicking sound. When you turn the key or push the start button, you may hear clicking and it may take several tries before the engine starts.
- Dashboard lights only. If only the dashboard lights come on when you try to start your car, the starter is probably the problem.
- The engine doesn’t crank. You’ve given your car a jumpstart, but it still won’t start. You will need to call roadside assistance to get your car to an auto shop.
- A smoking car. If you’ve been trying to start the engine several times, the starter can overheat and blow a fuse or short a circuit, creating smoke. Again, you will need to call roadside assistance for help!
- Starter is soaked in oil. Take a look under the hood at the starter motor. An oil leak can cause starter problems so be sure to have any oil leaks repaired as soon as possible.
At the first sign of starter problems, even if they are intermittent, have your mechanic check out the starter system, including the alternator and battery. Don’t wait to get stranded somewhere and have to call roadside assistance.
Need to know more about how do you know if your car starter is bad? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about starters, batteries, and alternators, and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
If you’ve owned a vehicle for very long, you understand the importance of a car starter. For drivers who may know, the starter is a small motor, powered by the battery to ignite and start the engine. However, it is hard to understand just how starters and alternators relate. If the starter is bad or the alternator is failing, your car won’t start!
So how do you know if your car starter is bad? First, you need to rule out the alternator or battery as the culprit of your starting problems. Then, you may realize that your starter is going bad if you recognize any of the issues below:
- Clicking sound. When you turn the key or push the start button, you may hear clicking and it may take several tries before the engine starts.
- Dashboard lights only. If only the dashboard lights come on when you try to start your car, the starter is probably the problem.
- The engine doesn’t crank. You’ve given your car a jumpstart, but it still won’t start. You will need to call roadside assistance to get your car to an auto shop.
- A smoking car. If you’ve been trying to start the engine several times, the starter can overheat and blow a fuse or short a circuit, creating smoke. Again, you will need to call roadside assistance for help!
- Starter is soaked in oil. Take a look under the hood at the starter motor. An oil leak can cause starter problems so be sure to have any oil leaks repaired as soon as possible.
At the first sign of starter problems, even if they are intermittent, have your mechanic check out the starter system, including the alternator and battery. Don’t wait to get stranded somewhere and have to call roadside assistance.
Need to know more about how do you know if your car starter is bad? Contact our ASE-certified technicians at Rebel Automotive for more information about starters, batteries, and alternators, and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Henderson, NV, Las Vegas, NV, and North Las Vegas, NV.
